Leo Nunez - He's battled an ankle injury this past week but notched 2 saves, hit 96 on the gun, and K'd 4 in 2.1 innings since Marlins closer Matt Linstrom went down. He and Dan Meyer are sharing the closer job for the time being but Nunez is the righty and looks to get the majority of the chances.
Hank Blalock - Despite the low batting average I've really enjoyed owning Blalock this year. If you play his matchups correctly he can be a very effective spot starter. Against righties he's hit 14 HR in 165 AB. You can find uses for a 1B/3B eligible player with numbers like that.
Adam Wainwright - I was shocked to see Wainwright come out for the 9th inning in Tuesday's game against San Francisco. He had just given up the tying run in the 8th and was at 105 pitches. All he did in the 9th was strike out the side (all swinging) after giving up a leadoff single to Edgar Renteria. It was an ace-like performance with 12 Ks and allowed the Cardinals the opportunity for a win despite being shut down by Matt Cain. He still walks a few too many and isn't efficient enough to regularly go deep into games but the Cards figure to improve their offense with trades and the back end of their bullpen has been strong. Wainwright is a solid #3 fantasy starter.
Ricky Romero - I'm kicking myself after letting Romero get picked up in my shallow 12 team mixed league yesterday. He dominated MLB's leader in runs scored (the Rays) Tuesday morning with 8 innings of shutout ball giving up 4 hits and striking out 7. If you take out his 2 starts after coming off the DL (impossible I know but just follow me) he'd be 6-1 with 1.85 ERA. Those 2 starts were at Baltimore, when they were raking, and at home against Boston. He's also gone at least 6.1 innings in every start since that 5/31 start vs. Boston. If he's somehow available in your mixed league stop reading this and go get him.
Yovani Gallardo -YoGa has quickly turned into a fantasy #1 starting pitcher. With his 12 K's over 7 innings on Tuesday his K/9 now sits at an impressive 9.80. Only Verlander, Vazquez, and Lincecum best him in that category. I started thinking about keepers on my 12 team mixed keeper league and began wondering if Gallardo is a definate keeper. If he keeps up his pace he should be a 3rd-6th rounder in '10. He just turned 23 this February.
Hanley Ramirez - He's not giving up the title of consensus #1 fantasy pick to Pujols without a fight. Ramirez is on a tear right now with a 33 RBI June. He's hit .360 since May 1st and looks to finish the year with .330+, 100 runs, 30 HR, 100 RBI, and 25 steals. He's currently 5th ranked in Yahoo's player rankings.
Cody Ross - Ross isn't finding himself on too many mixed league waiver wires these days. He's up to 48 RBI and 14 HR and on pace to up his career highs in HR (22) and RBI (73)
Johnny Damon - With the short porch in right field, Damon's on his way to a new career high (26) in HR. He's currently at career high levels in SLG, OPS, and HR/AB. To begin the year we might have expected a 15/25 year but Damon's flipping his career norms and may end up with a 25/15. Either way, he's providing strong #2 OF numbers.
FYI, you can follow me on Twitter (@RyanKaltenbach). I know, so original. I swear I was doing it at least 2 weeks before everyone else . . . . meaning February.